Research Computing

The Research Computing Support Services (RCSS) group provides computing support, training, and consulting to the MU research community. Our staff works closely with researchers to help evaluate their research computation needs and recommend solutions that allow them to take full advantage of the resources available. RCSS also works to ensure that the campus’ computing, storage, and networking infrastructure meets the growing needs of the research community. To get in touch with the RCSS team please email rcss@missouri.edu.

Research Computing Services

We are hiring! If you are interested in joining RCSS as a Cyberinfrastructure Engineer, see our announcement for details.

Be sure to check out our new Research Computing News, which aims to keep readers up-to-date with the latest research activities and events at the University of Missouri. Check back regularly for news, notifications of changes to research-related technologies, and other helpful information. Or subscribe to the blog via your feed reader of choice.

Leadership

Dr. Timothy Middelkoop

Director of Research Computing Support Services

Dr. Middelkoop is the Director of Research Computing Support Services. He is responsible for leading the evolution of the research computing infrastructure and facilitating the computational needs of research users campus-wide. Dr. Middelkoop also maintains a faculty position as an Assistant Teaching Professor in the department of Industrial and Manufacturing Systems Engineering.

High Performance Computing

High-Performance Computing (HPC) is a system-wide service that provides the advanced computational and data-driven capabilities needed for innovative and collaborative research activities at the University of Missouri. The HPC environment includes a state-of-the-art shared-resource cluster, an experimental cluster, a teaching and learning cluster for students, and a number of grant-friendly investor services. It also includes general purpose research storage and high-throughput computing storage. An HPC secure environment for DCL3 and DCL4 data is also available.

RCSS provides ongoing training for our high-performance computing resources. This training covers hardware basics, how to use the scheduler, how to use secure shell key-based authentication, and any other questions you may have. Please bring your own laptop.

MU’s research network infrastructure and connectivity enable MU researchers to leverage and participate in various national-level advanced cyberinfrastructure efforts such as InCommon Federated Identity Management Service, XSEDE for HPC/Big Data resources/expertise access and GENI Future Internet Testbed. In fact, MU researchers are leading several GENI experiment efforts and are developing Gigabit apps using national-level testbeds involving Health Care and Advanced Manufacturing communities as part of the US Ignite initiative supported by NSF and the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. MOREnet also connects RNet today at 10 Gbps network speeds (100 Gbps connectivity future option is possible with MOREnet’s current fiber and optical infrastructure) to international R&E network peering points such as StarLight in Chicago, and thus, MU researchers have the ability to create and participate in international R&E testbeds with researchers worldwide.

Cyberinfrastructure consists of computing systems, data sources and data storage systems, visualization environments, and support staff, all linked by high-speed networks to make discoveries and innovations not otherwise possible.

In January, 2013, Gary Allen, Vice President for Information Technology and Chief Information Officer, formed a Cyberinfrastructure (CI) Council at the University of Missouri. The CI Council, consisting of faculty and staff representing each of MU’s Schools and Colleges, was asked to provide input and guidance on the cyberinfrastructure necessary to support the wide variety of research and discovery activities at the University. Specifically, the Council was charged with accomplishing the following objectives:

Analyze and understand the cyberinfrastructure necessary to support the research activities of MU faculty and research services–activities that span from discovery through analysis, secure storage and long-term dissemination requirements of funding agencies.

Understand the trends in research computing technologies and the increasing importance of partnerships and collaborative solutions–regional or otherwise.

Organize and hold a Campus Cyberinfrastructure Days event to help clarify the needs and share information on resources available.

Address the need for appropriate governance and sustainable funding models for research cyberinfrastructure.

Create an ongoing Cyberinfrastructure Council that can help inform and direct resource allocation decisions.

MU’s first Cyberinfrastucture (CI) Day was held on Thursday, October 10, 2013 at Bond Life Sciences Center. CI Day fosters collaboration between researchers, technology experts and students to cultivate networking, expertise, resources and collective problem solving.

The CI Council has developed a comprehensive vision to guide the University’s future investments in cyberinfrastructure. In consultation with researchers and others from across the University, they have developed a Cyberinfrastructure Plan along with an ongoing structure to help assure its implementation.